The honey badger is a large weasel with a body length of 60-70cm and a weight of 8- 12kg. Their size varies with geographical scope, and the measurement of African honey badgers shows that they are slightly larger than the individuals in the Asian population. This species shows hermaphroditism, and the male is bigger than the female. Data from kalahari desert show that there are one third more adult males than adult females.
Older adult men also have obvious scar areas on their backs (they are called "scars"), which may be the result of multiple bites. This species is characterized by its stout body, shoulder height of about 25 cm, large skull, small eyes and muscular neck and shoulders. Although the color varies slightly from subspecies to subspecies, generally speaking, the lower part of the body (ventral side) is dark black and the upper part is gray or bright white.
The lighter color extends from the whole body to the bottom of the tail. The front feet are strong and broad, and the claws are large, which can be used to catch prey and run. In contrast, the hind feet are small and the claws are short. Honey badger's skin is thick and loose, which can prevent predators from grasping them firmly and make them easily twist and bite their attackers.